BlizzCon 2026 runs from September 12 to 13, bringing announcements and developer presentations for World of Warcraft, StarCraft, Overwatch and Diablo. Fans attending the Anaheim Convention Center can experience the event in person, while everyone else can watch selected sessions online.
Interest is especially high because reports have pointed to a possible new StarCraft project. Here is the confirmed main-stage schedule, plus the announcements viewers may be watching most closely. For more gaming coverage, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog.
When BlizzCon 2026 starts
The Opening Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. PDT on the first day and is scheduled to run for one hour and 15 minutes. It will take place on the convention’s main stage, where Blizzard is expected to make its largest announcements.
The ceremony and later broadcasts will be available through Blizzard’s official YouTube channel and Blizzard’s Twitch channel. All times below are listed in PDT, so Australian viewers should check the local conversion before planning a late-night or early-morning watch.
BlizzCon 2026 main-stage schedule
Day one
- 10:30 a.m. — Opening Ceremony
- 12:00 p.m. — World of Warcraft: What’s Next
- 1:45 p.m. — Diablo: Developer Update
- 2:45 p.m. — World of Warcraft: What’s Next II
- 3:45 p.m. — Overwatch: Hero Deep Dive
- 4:45 p.m. — BlizzCon Community Night
Day two
- 10:00 a.m. — World of Warcraft: Deep Dive
- 11:00 a.m. — Diablo IV: What’s Next
- 12:00 p.m. — QuestWatch: Live!!!
- 2:15 p.m. — World of Warcraft: Design Deep Dive
- 3:15 p.m. — Voices of Blizzard
- 5:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks
What to expect from Blizzard’s announcements
World of Warcraft: Midnight is likely to receive substantial attention. The expansion launched earlier in 2026, making patch plans and the next stage of its story natural subjects for the show. Blizzard could also discuss The Last Titan, the expansion intended to complete the Worldsoul Saga alongside The War Within and Midnight.
However, a reveal is far from certain. Blizzard generally does not announce a new expansion in the same year that the current expansion arrives, and The War Within and Midnight were separated by two years.
Overwatch is expected to receive one or two new hero announcements. Blizzard previously promised 10 new heroes during 2026, with two still to be revealed. Diablo 4 should also feature in the programme, although the release of an expansion earlier this year makes a major new announcement less likely.
Why StarCraft is the biggest question
The strongest speculation surrounds StarCraft. Reports have suggested that Blizzard is negotiating with Korean publisher Nexon on a new series entry. Soon afterwards, the official StarCraft website began hiding messages that appeared to tease upcoming news.
The project could be a new mainline real-time strategy game, or it could be the rumoured shooter reportedly in development. Neither possibility has been confirmed, making the Opening Ceremony the key broadcast for fans hoping to see the series return.
While you follow the announcements, RETROCADE’s arcade video collection has more gaming and industry viewing. If the event inspires a dedicated home setup, the arcade machine buying guide covers the main decisions before choosing a cabinet.
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